And I was doing so well! I woke up this morning to a swollen arm. Yesterday I called my doctor about all the fluid retention I was having, and after assuring him it was not localized to one extremity, he said I could try and move it around, elevate, and just wait. But this morning only my left arm was swollen and it was clear that his fear of a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) was more of a reality. An ER visit showed a clot in the axillary vein where my PICC line was placed. So they pulled out the line, put me on blood thinners, and we will decide what to do next when I see my oncologist on Tuesday. The more I read, the more I think that I will want to have that clot (which won't go away with only blood thinners, it just stops them from getting bigger) dealt with more aggressively. I don't know how often they do this, they say they reserve it for the young and healthy, and those with longer than a year life expectancy. I kind of think I fit the criteria. Right now my arm is uncomfortably swollen and I've been told to take it easy till I see my doctor. This is very hard when the steroids in me want to get up and do. Josh brought up the TV from the basement to my bedroom tonight. We have netflixs and some local stations, and I think that will be enough to keep me down for a couple of days.
This year has not yet been what I had imagined. I was determined to try and keep a daily blog, just to remind myself of all the good little things I experience. I hope to get there soon. Health is such a blessing, I feel like I would do anything for a little of it right now.
I am sorry Alisa. I am just so full of sorrow for you and your family. I pray these dark clouds will break and pour blessings upon you! Sincerely.
ReplyDeleteAlisa you don't know me, but I have been following you for sometime. I admire you so much!! You are an inspiration in the way you are handling life. I pray that you will be feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteOh man! I hope you are getting the trouble out of the way for an amazing year ahead. I feel pretty hopeful about that!
ReplyDeleteAlisa, you continue to amaze the Stauffer family with your fight and courage. Reading your blog is like watching someone play Mariokart- one obstacle after another! (I'm not sure if you are familiar with Mariokart, but trust me it's a spot-on metaphor), and yet you persevere. And here you are.
ReplyDeleteWe love you and pray for you!
-Eric, Emily and kids
Alisa and Josh, I have been following you from the beginning because my son, Mike, now 45, was diagnosed within weeks of you with melanoma on his cheekbone (small, but depth of 4+). He has had several facial surgeries, malignant nodes removed 2 yr ago and again last month, has taken interferon, then sylatron for two yr, and begins full neck radiation today. He has a strong and faith-filled wife and two precious little girls. Disease-wise Mike is behind you, Alisa, but I get so much encouragement from how long you have been fighting these stages and how there continues to be something else to try. When things get bad here in Texas, you seem to be doing well in Utah and vice versa. God bless both of you, your sons, and all the medical professionals who work so diligently and compassionately to conquer this ugly cancer. I'm praying for you on this journey. Mike's blog is ThePeters4blogspot if anyone is interested.
ReplyDeleteLove you, Alisa.
ReplyDeleteShoot! I hate blood clots! Keep us posted, because I won't be able to stop worrying.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to worry & pray. I thought you'd like to know that tonight Rachel prayed that your "blood lump" would go away. Love you all. Hoping & praying for sunny skies ahead.
ReplyDeleteHoping and praying that you feel better soon. Not a day passes that I don't think of you and am not inspired by you. You've got this...it's another bump in the road, but you've got it.
ReplyDelete